Pool cover

ABSTRACT

A pool cover for keeping soot and other particles out of a pool and for preventing unwanted usage of the pool. The pool cover is made of a flexible, durable material and has a central cover portion adapted to rest on the surface of the pool. A border region is secured to the outer edge of the central cover portion and retains a plurality of separate and independent liquid containers capable of being filled with a suitable liquid, such as water. The border region of the pool cover rests on, or is draped over, the peripheral edge of the pool and is too heavy to be removed by a child of tender years. If one of the liquid containers inadvertently ruptures, the others will not be affected and the pool cover will be maintained in place.

O 7 United States Patent 1 [111 3,732,581 Pitti et al. 51 May 15, 1973 [541 POOL COVER 3,509,585 5/1970 Solomon ..4/172.12 [75] Inventors: Joseph J. Pitti, Wantagh; George A. Tassone, Brooklyn, both OfNIY.

[73] Assignee: Atreo Manufacturing Co., Inc., Primary Examiner-Henry K. Artis Brooklyn, N.Y. Attorney- Lilling & Siegel 2 F'] d: A .9 1971 2] 57 ABSTRACT 21 A l.N .216997 1 pp 0 A pool cover for keeping soot and other particles out Related U.S. Application Data of a pool and for preventing unwanted usage of the pool. The pool cover is made of a flexible, durable [63] gy gs gg gz g; 8.5 My material and has a central cover portion adapted to rest on the surface of the pool. A border region is [52] U 8 Cl 4/172 12 4/172 12 secured to the outer edge of the central cover portion [51] 3/l'6 3) and retains a plurality of separate and independent li uid containers ca able of bein filled with a suitable ..4 2. 1 P g [58] Field of Search I172 12 17 1 liquid, such as water. The border region of the pool f d cover rests on, or is draped over, the peripheral edge [56] Re erences Cl e of the pool and is too heavy to be removed by a child UNITED STATES PATENTS of tender years. If one of the liquid containers inadvertently ruptures, the others will not be affected and the ;v:: i: p cover will be maintained in place.

9 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATEHTED MY! 5 I873 SHEET 1 OF 2 26 FIG. 2

INVENTORS JOSEPH J. PITTI GEORGE A. TASSONE p JM ATTORNEYQ PATENTED 3,732,581

SHEET 2 UF 2 I NVEN TORS.

JOSEPH J. PITTI GEORGE A. TASSONE POOL COVER RELATED DISCLOSURE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a swimming pool cover and more particularly, to an improved pool cover.

Pool covers serve many extremely useful functions I and are enjoying widespread use. When pools are not in use, they are attractive nuisances for children. Many of these children are unable to swim and unfortunately, tragic accidents occur where the unused pool is left uncovered.

Many pool covers are relatively light in construction and are easy to remove. Unfortunately, such pool covers, while serving to keep the pool free from dust and soot, do not prevent unwanted intruders from using the pool. Still other pool covers are constructed of a cover which is sealed at its ends to a continuous flexible hollow border which is filled with a suitable liquid, such as water. Unfortunately, such pool cover borders are frequently ruptured inadvertently, or punctured, allowing the liquid to empty therefrom, thereby eliminating the usefulness of the cover. Still other pool covers are unsatisfactory in performance, requiring time-consuming staking and the like to secure the cover to the border or frame of the pool.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved swimming pool cover.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a swimming pool cover which effectively keeps dust and other particulate matter out of the pool.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a swimming pool cover which is relatively easy to use.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a swimming pool cover which is adaptable to cover a variety of pool sizes and shapes.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a swimming pool cover which prevents unwanted intruders from entering the pool when it is not used.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a swimming pool cover equally adaptable to freestanding pools and to swimming pools sunk below grade.

Other objects, features and advantages will become more apparent from the following description.

SUMMARY In accordance with the principles of the present invention, the above objects are accomplished by providing a pool cover made of a suitable inexpensive flexible material, such as sheet plastic, resting on the water with the cover having a hollow border at the periphery. A plurality of flexible, separate liquid containers, or receptacles, are retained in place by the hollow border. The plurality of tanks, or containers, are independent from each other and water, or other suitable liquid, is placed in each independent container so as to act as sealing weights about the pool periphery. The pool cover is positioned in place on the waters surface and the plurality of containers housed in the border region or area are rested on or may be anchored to the peripheral surface of the pool, if desired. In the case of freestanding pools the border region is arranged overhanging the upper edge of the retaining wall surrounding the pool. The composite pool cover assembly is too heavy for a child to lift and if, accidentally, one of the containers is ruptured, or springs a leak, only the fluid contained in such independent container will be evacuated. The remaining containers will remain full of liquid and will therefore stay firmly in place, preventing the removal of the cover from the pool.

Preferably, the cover and containers are made of a flexible liquid impervious, plastic-type material minimizing weight and cost while maintaining durability. Due to the cover portion lying directly on the waters surface and the contiguous containers resting flat around the pools periphery, dust and particles are prevented from blowing beneath the containers and cover.

IN THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the pool cover of the present invention, covering a pool.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view along lines 22 of FIG. 1, showing the pool cover resting on the peripheral edges of the pool.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view, taken along lines 3-3 of FIG. 1, illustrating some of the separate containers housed in the border region of the pool cover.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along lines 4-4 of FIG. 1, illustrating one such container housed in the outer border region of the pool cover.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention, employed in covering a freestanding swimming pool, partly broken away.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view, taken along lines 6-6 of FIG. 5, showing the separate containers housed in the overhanging border region of the embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the Figures, FIG. 1 illustrates the pool cover 10 in place over a pool 12. FIG. 2 which is a cross-sectional view of the pool and cover, shows the pool 12 and a peripheral pool edge 14. The pool is filled with a fluid, such as water 16, and when the cover 10 is in place, a central cover portion 18, which is a sheet of flexible plastic material, rests on top of the surface of the water 16. A border region 20 bordering the cover portion 18 is generally tubular or hollow in shape and encloses a plurality of independent liquid bags or containers 22. The border region of the cover is adapted to rest on the peripheral edge of the pool, maintaining the cover in a fixed position, and the bags or containers containing a liquid, such as water, are positioned about the pool s edge but are retained in place by the border region 20.

The pool cover 10 of the present invention includes the central cover portion and means bordering the central cover portion for retaining independent liquid bags or containers in place. The central cover portion, preferably, is made of a waterproof, durable, light and flexible material, such as a plastic. The central cover portion is capable of being easily manipulated and set in place.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 3 and 4, the border region of the pool cover is shown in more detail. The region 20 is generally tubular or hollow in shape, as described above, and has a plurality of openings disposed generally equally spaced about the pools peripheral edge. The openings are large enough for a single liquid bag to be placed within the hollow border when the bag is empty, and also large enough for the inlet means to protrude clear of the border tube. The hollow border tube 20 is preferably secured to the bordering edge, or periphery, of the central cover portion 18 along its bottom portion thereof by suitable heat sealing means. Of course, the border tube is also made of a flexible, durable, waterproof material which is relatively easy to handle.

Each of the liquid bags or units 22 is an independent unit filled through a suitable valve 26, which may be of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,777,490. Such a valve construction is well suited for this purpose. Each of the bags is also made of a flexible material formed as a closed container. The valves 26 project through the openings 23 in the border tube or region 20 so as to be easily accessible for filling and/or draining the bags.

Each of the water bags or containers is filled through its respective valve with a suitable liquid, such as water, and the filling process is begun after the central cover portion is in place over the surface of water 16 in the pool. The weight of the filled water bags precludes the pool cover from being removed by wind, children, etc. In fact, the arrangement is such that one can even walk across the pool cover without causing same to sink into the water. The border region 20 rests on the peripheral edge 14 of the pool preventing soot or other particles from blowing onto the pool surface. As may be clearly seen, if one of the water containers inadvertently ruptures, the liquid therein will empty, but the liquid contained in the other containers 22 will prevent the pool cover from being removed from covering the pool 12. When such a container or bag becomes defective, it is simply pulled out of its counterpart opening 23 and either replaced with another new bag or simply repaired by sealing the hole or rupture which caused the fluid to leak from the bag.

The application of the instant invention to the covering of pools whose structure is substantially above the surrounding grade is illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the latter being a section of the embodiment shown in perspective in FIG. 5.

A continuous wall 100 surrounds the liquid, usually water, 101 contained in the pool and a central portion 118 of a pool cover is stretched over the opening of the pool across the wall 100. A border region 120 is attached continuously [round its circumference to the central region 118; the border 120 being substantially tubular and hollow in shape and adapted to receive a plurality of similar containers 22. Each of the containers 22 is fitted into the hollow border 120 through an appropriate opening 23 through which its associated filling valve 26 protrudes after assembly.

The hollow border region overhangs the upper edge of the peripheral wall 100 in such a manner that, after filling with a suitable liquid through the valves 26, the combined weights of the containers 22 cause the central portion of the pool cover 1 18 to be stretched across the top opening of the pool.

It is evident that some care must be exercised in filling the water bags 22 lest their weight cause an unbalanced force of such magnitude that the central region 118 of the pool cover slip over one edge of the perimeter wall 100. The method employed is to fill one container 22 and immediately thereafter fill a second container approximately diagonally disposed from the first one across the pool; proceeding to fill containers 22 in pairs diagonally disposed one to another.

The function of the hollow border region is the same as in the embodiment described heretofore with respect to an in-ground pool; to contain the bags 22, to transmit the anchoring weight of the liquid masses charged into the containers 22 to the central portion 118 of the pool cover, to permit the filling,- draining, replacement or repair of individual containers 22 without afiecting others, and to protect the containers 22 from accidental damage through frictional contact with the periphery of the pool or by being stepped on or by puncture through the agency of a sharp object, such as the beak of a bird.

The pool cover of the present invention lends itself to be easily and quickly manufactured of relatively inexpensive materials. Further, the pool cover may be readily adapted to a plurality of pool shapes, sized and constructions. In addition, the present pool coveris relatively easy to use, being free of complex and confusing manipulations. It will be appreciated that the preferred mode of filling a conventional round pool cover is to first fill one of the containers in the border region with liquid pumped into same through the inlet means associated therewith. Then fill another container lying diagonally across the pool from the first container, and thereafter fill the remaining containers in diagonally disposed pairs until all of the containers are filled with liquid.

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained, and, since certain changes may be made in the above article without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

1. A pool cover for an above-ground pool adapted to stand on a level surface and provided with vertical sidewalls comprising: a central portion for stretching over said vertical side-walls of said pool, said central portion being provided with a peripheral edge and a hollow border region, said border region being contiguous to said peripheral edge of said central portion; at least two or more containers adapted to contain a liquid, said containers being retained within said border region adjacent each other; inlet means being connected to each one of said containers; and means in said border region for access to each of said containers and said inlet means associated therewith, said containers being so disposed in said border region as to depend from the upper perimeter of said vertical side-walls on the exterior surfaces thereof and so as to maintain said central portion in tension.

2. A pool cover according to claim 1, wherein said border region is connected to said peripheral edge by a continuous heat-sealed seam.

3. A pool cover according to claim 1, wherein said means in said border region comprise access openings for each of said containers.

4. A pool cover according to claim 3, wherein said inlet means of each of said containers protrudes and extends outwardly from said openings.

5. A pool cover according to claim 1, wherein said central portion is made of a flexible material.

6. A pool cover according to claim 5, wherein said border region is made of a flexible material.

7. A pool cover according to claim 1, wherein said containers are made of a flexible, plastic material impervious to liquids.

8. A pool cover according to claim 1, wherein said containers are replaceable by being removably. disposed within said border region.

9. A ground-level swimming pool cover for a pool bordered by a peripheral edge comprising a central cover portion for resting on the surface of the water held in said pool, said central cover portion being provided with a peripheral edge, a continuous hollow border region adapted to retain a plurality of containers and being disposed along said peripheral edge at ground level, said border region being contiguous to said peripheral edge of said central cover portion, said plurality of containers being adjacent to each other and adapted to contain a liquid, a plurality of inlet means, a respective one of said plurality of inlet means being connected to a respective one of said containers, and a plurality of means in said border region for access to said containers and said inlet means associated therewith, said plurality of containers in said border region being disposed so as to rest on said peripheral edge of said pool and maintain said central cover portion in place, and said containers are replaceable by being removably disposed within said border region. 

1. A pool cover for an above-ground pool adapted to stand on a level surface and provided with vertical side-walls comprising: a central portion for stretching over said vertical side-walls of said pool, said central portion being provided with a peripheral edge and a hollow border region, said border region being contiguous to said peripheral edge of said central portion; at least two or more containers adapted to contain a liquid, said containers being retained within said border region adjacent each other; inlet means being connected to each one of said containers; and means in said border region for access to each of said containers and said inlet means associated therewith, said containers being so disposed in said border region as to depend from the upper perimeter of said vertical side-walls on the exterior surfaces thereof and so as to maintain said central portion in tension.
 2. A pool cover according to claim 1, wherein said border region is connected to said peripheral edge by a continuous heat-sealed seam.
 3. A pool cover according to claim 1, wherein said means in said border region comprise access openings for each of said containers.
 4. A pool cover according to claim 3, wherein said inlet means of each of said containers protrudes and extends outwardly from said openings.
 5. A pool cover according to claim 1, wherein said central portion is made of a flexible material.
 6. A pool cover according to claim 5, wherein said border region is made of a flexible material.
 7. A pool cover according to claim 1, wherein said containers are made of a flexible, plastic material impervious to liquids.
 8. A pool cover according to claim 1, wherein said containers are replaceable by being removably disposed within said border region.
 9. A ground-level swimming pool cover for a pool bordered by a peripheral edge comprising a central cover portion for resting on the surface of the water held in said pool, said central cover portion being provided with a peripheral edge, a continuous hollow border region adapted to retain a plurality of containers and being disposed along said peripheral edge at ground level, said border region being contiguous to said peripheral edge of said central cover portion, said plurality of containers being adjacent to each other and adapted to contain a liquid, a plurality of inlet means, a respective one of said plurality of inlet means being connected to a respective one of said containers, and a plurality of means in said border region for access to said containers and said inlet means associated therewith, said plurality of containers in said border region being disposed so as to rest on said peripheral edge of said pool and maintain said central cover portion in place, and said containers are replaceable by being removably disposed within said border region. 